Blessings

Dave Clark sermon on Parable of Talents

Talent Show

How we think about God is important. If we assume God is cruel and has a finger on the giant zap button in the sky, we will shrink back and live out of fear rather than gratitude. If we assume God is violent, capricious and hostile, we find ways of incorporating those traits into our lives, too. What is your image of the divine? How does it shape your life and faith?

Rev. David Clark image for All Saint's Sunday sermon

These are They

These are they whom we love. These are they who took risks. These are they who were ordinary flawed people, but were important. These are they that didn’t have supernatural powers or abilities, but showed up, stood with us when we needed them. These are they that have shaped our lives and made us what we are as individuals and therefore shape what kind of community we are.

David Clark pet blessing

Pet Blessing Sunday

What does it mean to bless animals, what are we doing? Is it a magic spell? We throw around the word blessed all the time. But sometimes it’s good to remember that blessings are more about giving God thanks for gifts and praying that we enjoy the gifts properly. It’s to pray for a good life, happiness, safety. When we learn to bless animals, we learn to bless all creation and one another.

Pastor David Clark’s sermon: Art for Heaven’s Sake

Art as a form of prayer makes so much sense to me. It’s when you just let what is in you flow out, it may be the most honest form of prayer that we have, just to let it bubble up, instead of trying so darn hard to say the right thing or to let language become an obstacle—it’s really so limited. Art is prayer in its purest form, that’s why you can just lose yourself in it and time itself becomes different. You lose track. What? Three hours have past? I didn’t even notice. Many artists talk about moments where things start coming together, when inspiration hits and surprises them like a gift, and they feel connected to their spiritual selves and maybe even that creative energy that is God that courses through all creation.